vestibolo

Vestibolo is a term used in Italian to denote a passage space at an entrance or the inner ear. In architecture, a vestibolo or vestibule is a small, enclosed space that serves as a transitional area between the exterior and the interior of a building. It typically functions as a foyer or reception zone and helps regulate temperature and sound. Depending on the building, the vestibolo may lead directly to a stair hall, corridors, or main rooms, and may contain features such as doors, seating, wardrobes, or mail slots. In some architectural traditions, the vestibolo also acts as a buffer to protect against drafts and to create a first impression for visitors.

In anatomy, vestibolo refers to the vestibule of the inner ear, an oval-shaped chamber that connects the cochlea with the semicircular canals. The vestibule contains two otolith organs, the utricle and the saccule, which detect linear acceleration and head position relative to gravity. Sensory hair cells transduce motion into neural signals transmitted by the vestibular portion of the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). The vestibule, together with the semicircular canals, constitutes the vestibular system, essential for balance, spatial orientation, and gaze stabilization. Disorders of vestibular function can cause vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin vestibulum, meaning an entrance or forecourt. In modern Italian, vestibolo is commonly used for architectural entrances and is also the formal term for the inner-ear vestibule in medical contexts.